That's right, that's what adventure is like!

late at night.

Roland sat on the rock, the new sword lying between his knees, being slowly wiped with a soft cloth.

The fire had burned down to almost nothing, with only a few thick pieces of firewood occasionally spewing sparks into the night. The outline of the low bushes was vaguely visible, as if some monster was lurking there.

The river was still flowing, making a gurgling sound, making Aletta's sleeping breathing in the nearby tent barely audible.

"call--"

Wearing leather armor, At emerged from another tent, exhaling a puff of white mist that dissipated into the cold air.

He glanced at Roland, then at the grove of trees in the distance, a smile playing on his lips. "It's my turn to keep watch. You go and rest."

Roland didn't move, but turned his head to look at the grove of low trees. Several dark figures stood quietly inside, without making any move, just as they had during the day.

"What a pity," he muttered calmly, "these monsters are too cowardly. They probably sensed that we're not to be trifled with."

"Of course, it's best if you don't show your sword," Art chuckled softly. "Sometimes, too much killing intent isn't a good thing."

The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

Ate sat down by the campfire, threw in a few twigs to reignite it, and, looking more relaxed, continued speaking.

"That child hasn't experienced the association's blessing ceremony, so she's still lacking something. We have to help her."

Roland nodded.

He knew what At was talking about.

The association's blessing ceremony refers to the monster rental recommendation during registration, which allows newcomers to fight at Ramona's shop and experience the true taste of adventure.

During our casual conversation today, Ate learned that Aleta had never experienced this ceremony, which is why he specifically chose this campsite.

"Three Dead Branch Monsters," Roland pointed to the woods in the shadows. "They are good at camouflage, often appear near rivers, and have obvious weaknesses, making them suitable for beginners."

Art nodded, then looked at the slowly flowing river: "I heard you tell her to go gather firewood. It seems she had the same idea as me."

The Dead Branch Monster doesn't move around often; it usually stays in place, disguised as an ordinary dead branch, and only attacks when someone comes by. That's why Roland sent Aletta to collect firewood.

Unfortunately, for some reason, these monsters did not attack Aleta, depriving her of this opportunity for training.

"Let her go again tomorrow morning," Roland said calmly. "If they still don't make a move, then I'll just burn this forest down."

Art chuckled and shook his head.

"They didn't do anything to you, really..." He couldn't find the right words for a moment, so he simply gave up. "Fine, whatever you say."

He threw a few more pieces of firewood into the fire, and the rising flames illuminated their faces in shifting light.

"How long have you had that child?"

Att's sudden question made Roland pause for a moment: "Not long."

"I can see that she trusts you," Art said, looking up at the half-moon in the sky with a touch of emotion. "Thea was like that too... I could see that look in her eyes."

Roland didn't speak.

Art didn't say much, just sat quietly reminiscing about the past for a while, before turning his head to look at the woods.

"I'll go with her tomorrow. You just watch from the sidelines and only intervene if something really happens."

"Um."

Roland responded softly, and seeing that he was staring blankly at the fire again, he turned and walked towards the tent, leaving behind only one sentence.

"If we meet again in the swamp, I'll lend you a hand."

Ate paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, remaining silent.

Silence fell over the camp again, broken only by the occasional crackling sound and the sparks that flew across the ground.

……

……

Early the next morning.

As dawn broke on the horizon, the camp was already bustling with activity. Thea stood beside the horses, giving them their last morsels of hay before their departure.

After packing up the tent, Ate sat on the ground planning a route, his fingertips slowly moving along the lines on the mottled map.

Roland caught a few more fish and was using the dagger he carried to gut them and throw their entrails into the river.

—The adventurer doesn't usually eat hot food for breakfast, so he needs to find a suitable reason.

Aleta is very obedient.

Although I had eaten a lot yesterday, I still listened to Roland's advice and walked towards the grove of shrubs.

She had only taken a dozen or so steps when Art stood up and glanced at Roland.

Roland nodded slightly.

So Art followed at a leisurely pace, as if taking a stroll, but his footsteps were barely audible.

Thea gathered up the hay, walked over to the fire, sat down, looked at the strings of fish already set up on it, and then looked at the woods.

"Aren't you going to go take a look?"

Roland shook his head: "She has to do it herself."

Thea raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

A few bird calls came from the woods, followed by a few sharp cracks, like the sound of branches being broken.

Roland continued killing the fish.

After a while, a short shout was heard, but it quickly stopped.

Then came the dull thud of a heavy object falling to the ground.

Finally, there was the sound of kerosene exploding as it burned, accompanied by rustling noises, as if something was being dragged on the ground.

Roland skewered the last fish, placed it on the fire, wiped his hands, and waited quietly.

Soon, Aleta and Ate came out one after the other.

Aletta's face was a little pale, and his body was covered in mud, as was the dagger at his waist, but he carried a large bundle of firewood in his arms and kept his steps steady.

Art followed behind her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

But he said nothing, only took the firewood from Aletta's hand and rekindled it in the still-warm ashes.

Aletta didn't say anything, but just sat next to Roland with her knees drawn up to her chest, looking down at her slightly scratched palms.

After a long while, she asked in a low voice.

"Did I do a good job?"

Thea smiled and handed her a grilled fish, her eyes filled with concern, but even more so with longing.

Roland didn't say anything, but simply turned his gaze to Ate not far away.

Art smiled, his voice not loud, but Aleta could hear him clearly.

"For a newcomer to do this well on their first attempt is already quite impressive."

This comment made Aletta's eyes light up, and she couldn't wait to turn to look at Roland. Seeing that he also nodded slightly, the corners of her mouth finally curved into a smile.

After slowly finishing the fish, she raised her head and looked at the rising golden sun.

"Mr. Art... thank you just now."

The voice was soft, but enough to bring a gentle smile to Art's face.

"You're welcome, but you need to remember one thing—there won't be as many people to help you on your future adventures."

Aletta's eyes gleamed, and she nodded firmly at the end.

"I will remember that."